Inserter

Abstract

The invention relates to an inserter for an intrauterine system, including a handle ( 3 ) having a longitudinal opening ( 8 ) at its first end, the opening ( 8 ) having a longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the inserter, a first end ( 8 a ) and a second end ( 8 b ), a moveable slider ( 5 ) arranged in the longitudinal opening ( 8 ) and having a first end ( 5 a ) and a second end ( 5 b ), a plunger ( 2 ) attached to the handle ( 3 ), an insertion tube ( 6 ) arranged around the plunger ( 2 ) having a first end and a second end, with its second end attached to the slider ( 5 ). The inserter further includes a lock that reversibly locks locking the intrauterine system in relation to the plunger ( 2 ) via a removal string of the intrauterine system, the lock being controllable by the slider ( 5 ) and/or the insertion tube ( 6 ).

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A kit comprising:
 an intrauterine system comprising:
 a reservoir containing a hormone; and 
 a removal string attached to the intrauterine system; and 
 
 an inserter comprising:
 a handle comprising:
 a longitudinal opening; and 
 a slider arranged in the longitudinal opening; 
 
 a plunger attached to the handle; 
 an insertion tube attached to the slider; and 
 a lock arranged inside the handle and adapted to reversibly lock the intrauterine system in relation to the plunger via the removal string, the lock being controllable by the slider, the lock comprising:
 a main part that is rotatably mounted on a shaft or an axle on the handle, an extension, and 
 a counterpart, 
 
 wherein the removal string is immobilized between the main part and the counterpart when the lock is in a locked position, and 
 wherein the removal string is released when a part of the slider presses against the extension to turn the main part around the shaft or the axle. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the hormone is levonorgestrel. 
     
     
       3. The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the reservoir further comprises an elastomer. 
     
     
       4. The kit of  claim 3 , wherein the elastomer is poly(dimethylsiloxane). 
     
     
       5. The kit of  claim 1 , wherein moving the slider forward causes the lock to move into the locked position. 
     
     
       6. The kit of  claim 1 , wherein moving the slider backwards causes the lock to move into a released position. 
     
     
       7. The kit of  claim 1 , further comprising a flange arranged on the insertion tube that is adjustable such that its distance from a front end of the intrauterine system corresponds to a depth of a uterus. 
     
     
       8. The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the handle forms a channel in which the insertion tube slides in a longitudinal direction. 
     
     
       9. The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the main part comprises an opening through which the removal string passes. 
     
     
       10. The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the shaft or the axle is irregularly shaped. 
     
     
       11. A method for positioning an intrauterine system within a uterus, the method comprising:
 (a) providing an intrauterine system having a reservoir containing a hormone and a removal string attached to the intrauterine system; 
 (b) sounding the uterus to determine a depth for placement of the intrauterine system; 
 (c) holding an inserter in one hand, the inserter comprising:
 a handle comprising: 
 a longitudinal opening, the longitudinal opening having a first end and a second end; and 
 a slider arranged in the longitudinal opening, the slider being movable and having a first end and a second end; 
 a plunger attached to the handle; 
 an insertion tube attached to the slider; and 
 a lock arranged inside the handle and adapted to reversibly lock the intrauterine system in relation to the plunger via the removal string, the lock being controllable by the slider, the lock comprising:
 a main part that is rotatably mounted on a shaft or an axle on the handle, 
 an extension, and 
 a counterpart, 
 
 wherein the removal string is immobilized between the main part and the counterpart when the lock is in a locked position, and 
 wherein the removal string is released when a part of the slider presses against the extension to turn the main part around the shaft or the axle; 
 
 (d) introducing the inserter into the uterus with the one hand until the intrauterine system is at the depth determined in step (b); and 
 (e) moving the slider with one digit of the one hand, thereby releasing the removal string and intrauterine system within the uterus. 
 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the hormone is levonorgestrel. 
     
     
       13. A method of providing contraception in a patient, comprising:
 (a) providing an intrauterine system having a reservoir comprising a hormone and a removal string attached to the intrauterine system; 
 (b) sounding a uterus to predetermine a depth for placement of the intrauterine system; 
 (c) holding an inserter in one hand, the inserter comprising:
 a handle comprising:
 a longitudinal opening, the longitudinal opening having a first end and a second end; and 
 a slider arranged in the longitudinal opening, the slider being movable and having a first end and a second end; 
 a plunger attached to the handle; 
 an insertion tube attached to the slider; and 
 a lock arranged inside the handle and adapted to reversibly lock the intrauterine system in relation to the plunger via the removal string, the lock being controllable by the slider, the lock comprising:
 a main part that is rotatably mounted on a shaft or an axle on the handle, 
 an extension, and 
 a counterpart, 
 
 wherein the removal string is immobilized between the main part and the counterpart when the lock is in a locked position, and 
 wherein the removal string is released when a part of the slider presses against the extension to turn the main part around the shaft or the axle; 
 
 
 (d) introducing the inserter into the uterus with the one hand until the intrauterine system is at the depth predetermined in step (b); and 
 (e) moving the slider with one digit of the one hand, thereby releasing the removal string and intrauterine system within the uterus. 
 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13 , wherein the hormone is levonorgestrel. 
     
     
       15. A method of preventing pregnancy in a patient, comprising:
 (a) providing an intrauterine system having a reservoir comprising a hormone and a removal string attached to the intrauterine system; 
 (b) sounding a uterus to predetermine a depth for placement of the intrauterine system; 
 (c) holding an inserter in one hand, the inserter comprising:
 a handle comprising:
 a longitudinal opening, the longitudinal opening having a first end and a second end; and 
 a slider arranged in the longitudinal opening, the slider being movable and having a first end and a second end; 
 
 a plunger attached to the handle; 
 an insertion tube attached to the slider; and 
 a lock arranged inside the handle and adapted to reversibly lock the intrauterine system in relation to the plunger via the removal string, the lock being controllable by the slider, the lock comprising:
 a main part that is rotatably mounted on a shaft or an axle on the handle, 
 an extension, and 
 a counterpart, 
 
 wherein the removal string is immobilized between the main part and the counterpart when the lock is in a locked position, and 
 wherein the removal string is released when a part of the slider presses against the extension to turn the main part around the shaft or the axle; 
 
 (d) introducing the inserter into the uterus with the one hand until the intrauterine system is at the depth predetermined in step (b); and 
 (e) moving the slider with one digit of the one hand, thereby releasing the removal string and intrauterine system within the uterus. 
 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15 , wherein the hormone is levonorgestrel.